A report from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) indicates that nearly half of the indicators measuring American democracy have fallen to their lowest levels in 50 years, contributing to a decline in global stability. Released on September 15, 2026, the report describes the United States as a significant example of this trend, noting that its democratic erosion has implications beyond its borders.
The report states, "President Donald Trump quickly amassed power in the executive branch and wielded it to further a narrow set of personal goals and pursue retaliation against perceived enemies." It highlights that this environment has led to a constricted space for public expression and institutional checks on power, making resistance increasingly unsafe.
Globally, approximately 57 percent of countries have experienced a decline in at least one key indicator of democratic performance from 2020 to 2025. Judicial independence is reported to have fallen to a 36-year low, while the quality of credible elections is at its lowest in 30 years.
The report emphasizes the US's decline due to its scale and global influence, arguing that its retreat from democratic norms has strained multilateral institutions and empowered authoritarian leaders worldwide.
International IDEA Secretary-General Kevin Casas-Zamora stated, "For decades, the rule of law both domestically and in the international order has underpinned the resilience of democracies. Now, the rapid decline of democracy in the USA is weakening judicial independence and fragmenting the international system — threatening democracy around the world."
The US has recorded seven statistically significant declines from 2020 to 2025, including in access to justice, freedom of expression, press freedom, and judicial independence. The report notes that, apart from free political parties, the other six indicators are at their lowest levels in the dataset's history.
On press freedom, the report cites funding cuts to public broadcasters such as NPR and PBS, along with attacks on journalists and lawsuits against media organizations like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
Universities are also facing pressure, with the report mentioning executive measures affecting funding and academic freedom, including efforts to influence accreditation and hiring processes, such as withholding federal funds from Harvard and Columbia.
The report describes the Trump administration's use of the immigration system as the "starkest example" of declining access to justice, citing the case of 137 Venezuelans sent to El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, many of whom had no established connection to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang and were denied the opportunity to challenge their removal in court.
Additionally, the report warns that the erosion of democracy has consequences for global security, noting that certain forms of democratic decline are linked to a higher risk of violent conflict. In 2025, 65 violent conflicts were recorded, the highest since the Uppsala Conflict Data Program began tracking in 1946, including a record eight conflicts between states.